Ringo Starr : Liverpool 8 by Jory John

I’ll admit this here & now: Every time a former Beatle releases a new album, I’m hopeful, ready to give every benefit of every doubt. And this is true: I got teary eyed, once, when I was reading a review of a then-new Paul McCartney CD that received high praise. I couldn’t believe it, especially when the reviewer wrote that the new songs stood up to Paul’s output on “Revolver.” Yes! “Revolver”! Dang! Then I went and bought a copy and the first lines of the first song were “One, two, three, four, five/Let’s go for a drive.” Not exactly a revolutionary debut and the album — “Driving Rain” — remained lackluster and uninspired, throughout.

And I know that this isn’t meant to be a McCartney review, but I think it’s generally an apt comparison, because Paul and Ringo have had a tendency to share the same problem: They both try too hard in that overproduced, electric-guitar-and-synth, forced-rhyme sort of way. Quit rhyming so damn much, Paul and Ringo! All those songs you keep pumping out would stand up better. Over the last few years, I’ve sincerely wanted to sit these post-Beatles down and say, “Listen up, you two … I want both of you to focus on your strengths. OK? Paul, for you, it’s your melodies, acoustic ballads and knack at storytelling. For you, Ringo, it’s your drumming and dry sense of humor. And while we’re at it, why don’t you give George’s final album, ‘Brainwashed’ another couple of listens. George went back to writing beautiful, stripped down songs with harmonies that people rightfully compared to ‘Abbey Road.’ Think about it.”

With all that said, I’m actually pleased to report that there are some good things about “Liverpool 8″: 1.) For a Ringo album, it’s not bad at all. 2.) That is, it grows on you with a few listens, even if the music has an occasional tendency to blend into one long ramble. 3.) And the song “Give It a Try” sneaks up and approaches Ringo’s best work and it’s definitely one that I’d add to a playlist if I created a mix entitled “Songs Written By Former Beatles That Are Actually Good and Worth a Listen.” Granted, this is all relative and you know what you’re getting into when you see the name Ringo Starr on the cover. Because let’s be honest: Nobody ever really looked to the Fourth Beatle for his song-writing prowess and the fact that he just released a generally pleasant, nostalgic, fairly well-sung album may be the closest we come to a celebrated post-Beatles offering this year.

Ring Starr : Liverpool 8

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